What is a jumping worm?

Asked by: Joshua Harper

What is the difference between earthworms and jumping worms?

A regular earthworm may move around in your hand while a jumping worm will actively flop around and try to get away, going so far as to detach its tail. In the absence of seeing the worms themselves, the presence of jumping worms can also be identified by their castings that resemble coffee grounds or taco meat.

How do you get rid of jumping worms?

If you have a small population of jumping worms, handpick and destroy them by bagging them and throwing them in the trash, or place them in a bag and leave out in the sun for at least 10 minutes; then throw the bag away.

What causes jumping worms?

Origin and Spread



No earthworms are native to Minnesota and other northern states. Jumping worms are native to Asia. People spread jumping worms throughout North America by moving potted plants, soil, compost, mulch and fishing bait.

Should I report jumping worms?

If you see soil that looks like coffee grounds or notice unusually jumpy worms in your mulch: Don’t move any material that might be harboring jumping worms. Report any suspected jumping worms.

Can jumping worms hurt you?

They're more just sort of uh flopping more flopping and so if you get a get a bunch of jumping worms. Together you know they'll probably be able to get off the ground. Maybe an inch.

How do I know if I have invasive jumping worms?

They are relatively easy to identify if you take a look at their clitellum (the band around the body of a worm). The clitellum on a jumping worm is milky white to gray-colored, smooth and completely encircles the body of the worm. In contrast, the clitellum of European earthworms does not wrap entirely around the worm.

What states are jumping worms found in?

These worms, also known as amynthas agrestis or Asian jumping worms, are suddenly making headlines after they’ve been spotted across the country.



However, the CDFA report says that invasive jumping worms have been spotted in the following states:

• Alabama.
• Connecticut.
• Florida.
• Georgia.
• Kentucky.
• Louisiana.
• Maine.
• Maryland.

What is the difference between Nightcrawlers and jumping worms?

On jumping worms, the ring (clitellum) on adult worms is closer to the end than on nightcrawlers. Milky pink to milky gray in color, the ring encircles the whole body evenly, and is barely raised above the skin — unlike the nightcrawlers where it’s raised.

Are jumping worms good for the garden?

Jumping worms turn rich organic soil into small crumbles that resemble coffee grounds. This depletes nutrients, disturbs the soil fungi and decreases the water-holding ability of soils. All this impacts the health and productivity of our garden plants.

How did jumping worms get to the US?

The jumping worms may have been brought to North America in the 19th century with plants and other imported horticultural and agricultural materials.

What animal eats jumping worms?

Salamanders and many bird species will not eat jumping worms, spitting them out or avoiding them after an initial tasting. Ground-nesting birds disappear. However, moles will eat them, so can be helpful in controlling them.